Emmanuel Poku

NFL Draft Profile: Emmanuel Poku

Position: Offensive Tackle / Offensive Guard | School: East Carolina | Class: Redshirt Junior

Height: 6'6" | Weight: 326 lbs | Archetype: Run Blocker (Versatile Power)

College Career Summary

Emmanuel Poku’s career is a testament to developmental grit. He joined East Carolina as a preferred walk-on in 2022 weighing just 270 lbs. By 2025, he transformed into a massive 326-pound anchor. After redshirting his first year and serving as a rotational reserve in 2023, Poku exploded onto the scene in 2024, starting all 13 games and splitting time between right tackle and right guard.

In the 2025 season, Poku cemented his status as a pro prospect. While he lacks the "elite" athletic profile of blue-chip tackles, he is a technical mauler who helped ECU's offense rank in the top 30 nationally in total yardage. His background as a former soccer player gives him surprisingly nimble feet for his size, allowing him to be effective both as a pulling guard and a wide-setting tackle.

Career Stats & Highlights

• Career Starts: 25 (13 in 2024, 12 in 2025)

• 2025 Sacks Allowed: 2 (Significant improvement in pass-set consistency)

• 2025 Pressures Allowed: 12

• Pancakes: ~42 (2025 Regular Season)

• Holding Penalties: 2 (2025)

• Honors: 2024 College Football Network Honorable Mention; 2025 All-AAC First Team.

2025 Game-by-Game Grades

Week	Opponent	Grade	Scout's Notes
1	vs Norfolk State	A	Total displacement in the run game; 0 pressures allowed.
2	@ Old Dominion	A-	Excellent reach blocking; paved the way for a 100-yard rusher.
3	@ Appalachian St	B+	Handled elite G5 speed rushers well; 1 hurry allowed.
5	@ UTSA	C	Worst Game. Struggled with UTSA’s interior speed and a late sack.
6	vs Charlotte	A	The Apex. Dominated the hometown rivalry; 6 pancakes recorded.
8	@ Temple	A-	Flawless in pass protection for a 5-TD passing performance.
9	vs FAU	A	High PFF grade; physically overwhelmed the defensive front.
10	@ Tulsa	B+	Solid; one holding penalty offset an otherwise clean sheet.
11	vs Memphis	B	Tough battle; gave up 1 sack but was vital in goal-line runs.
12	@ North Texas	A-	Masterful second-level blocking on screen plays.
13	vs Rice	B+	Controlled the point of attack; late-game fatigue showed slightly.
Post	vs Pittsburgh (Bowl)	B-	Challenged by P5 size/strength; showed developmental ceiling.

Scouting Grade Rubric

Intangibles (.20) — Grade: 95/100

• Leadership: Plus; a walk-on who earned a starting spot and became a vocal leader.

• Mental Toughness: Elite. Transformed his body and status from scout team to All-AAC.

• Competitor: High; plays with a "chip on his shoulder" mentality.

• Team Player: Credits the ECU strength staff for his transformation.

• Star: Moderate; the foundation of the line rather than a highlight reel star.

Physical Tools (.20) — Grade: 90/100

• Height/Weight: 6'6", 326 lbs. (Exceeds height; Exceeds weight).

• Stamina: High; carries his 326 lbs well; rarely subbed out.

• Durability: Plus; started every game over the last two seasons.

• Injury History: Medically clean.

Attributes (.20) — Grade: 84/100

• Run Block: Strength. Elite displacement; heavy hands that stun defenders.

• Pass Block: Average; can struggle with high-end speed to power transitions.

• Strength: Plus; functional strength correlates directly to his 900+ snap seasons.

• Technique: Good; improved hand placement in 2025.

• High Motor: Constant; a "finisher" who plays through the whistle.

Athleticism (.20) — Grade: 78/100

• Speed: Low; "heavy" footed when asked to pull long distances.

• Agility: Plus; former soccer background shows in his short-area recovery.

• Flexibility: Moderate; can play with high pad level due to 6'6" frame.

• Acceleration: Good; explosive first step out of the stance.

• Footwork: Clean; surprisingly light feet for a man of his mass.

IQ (.20) — Grade: 91/100

• Awareness: High; excellent at identifying stunts and late-looping blitzers.

Scouting Report

• Strengths: Prototypical size and frame for both Tackle and Guard; elite mental toughness rising from walk-on status; statistical consistency in pass protection (only 2 sacks in 2025); high-level stamina for a 320+ lb athlete.

• Weaknesses: Lateral Range. Against elite NFL speed-rushers, he may find himself "on an island" if he stays at Tackle; tends to lunge when tired, leading to balance issues; pad level needs to stay lower to handle NFL bull-rushers.

• Scheme Fit: Ideal for a Power/Gap or Inside Zone system (e.g., Giants, Raiders, Saints).

• NFL Comparison: Darian Kinnard / Jermaine Eluemunor.

Scout's Final Word

"Emmanuel Poku is a 'projection' success story. He has the frame that NFL coaches dream of molding. While he might lack the twitch to be a franchise Left Tackle, his versatility to play Right Tackle or move inside to Guard makes him an invaluable roster piece. He is a 'dirt-under-the-fingernails' player who won't be outworked. In a league desperate for offensive line depth, Poku is a draftable asset who could develop into a long-term starter. Draft Projection: 6th - 7th Round / Priority UDFA."